Worldly Intentions

Most people, Christian or otherwise, would say that the things a person owns shed very little light on their moral worth. There are some exceptions (slaves come to mind), but generally it's actions that count.

Brethren are unusual in that respect. They are defined to a large extent by the items they do and don't possess. Especially the ones they don't.

However, even brethren consider someone's actions their defining feature. "Show me thy faith without works..." So I've no doubt they'll be watching with interest to see what depths of degredation I sink to, even if my home doesn't appear to be riddled with worldliness.

And it's an interesting question.

I can well understand that, once clear of the claustrophobic restrictions of brethren life, some people must be very tempted to ditch the rulebook entirely. I can also see, though it's not really my way, that some may wish to hang on to as many rules as they can while ranting about the few they found unacceptable. It's hard to view an entire lifestyle dispassionately enough to weed the good from the bad.

My answer to loved ones who anxiously ask what it is I want to be free to do, is: nothing I wasn't already doing.

Broadly, that's true. I begin to realise, though, that it isn't the whole story. Although I felt unconstrained by the rules while still among the brethren, there were some activities that simply weren't practical or desirable at that point.

One kind of strange example: yoga appeals to me. I feel the need of an exercise regime, but I lose patience with conventional types, and being an elastic sort of person, and a thinker, I think yoga would suit. It's a difficult thing to teach oneself, so classes are required. And when are these classes held? At the brethren's meeting times.

Missing meetings for yoga is definitely worldly.

Then there are all those activities which are only good in company. Restaurants, cinema, theatre etc, which lack something when visited alone. And in the absence of brethren companions (at least recently), I haven't been going to these places. But I will.

"Links", as the brethren call them, are another thing. I'd like my business to be a separate entity, and the law says a company needs two directors. That would be a no-no, but I have no worries at all about it, just as soon as a suitable candidate presents themselves. I might even join clubs, too, though I'm not sure which and why just yet.

Some things I don't intend: smoking, nightly pub visits, betting, looking for one night stands, clubbing, holidays in the sun, maxing out my credit card, getting tattoos and piercings. There are probably more, but those are the things I see going through brethren's heads when they think about people who've left them. Fine for some, maybe, but I don't see why I need to experiment with things that don't appeal.

Other than that, I can't think of much that will be new. Am I missing something marvellous?